Thursday, July 31, 2008

StartSampling T-shirt Winners

Congratulations to the below members who won a StartSampling t-shirt for simply reading the article “Support your local Humane Society” posted on July 29, 2008!!!!!

Shelley from New York
Cindy from California
Marcia from California
Ellen from North Carolina

From time to time we have sweepstakes on different sections of our site. Sometimes they are announced, sometimes they are not. So, remember to check all around, because you never know where we are going to be having a sweepstakes or give away!

Congratulations Shelley, Cindy, Marcia and Ellen and thanks for reading the article!

LaPerm – A new cat breed

These curly kitties made there début in 1982 at the farm house of Richard and Linda Koehl in north-central Oregon. A regular farm cat gave birth to six kittens. The Koehl’s noticed that one of the six kittens were different and thought it was sick and would not survive. However, not only was the kitten not sick, it was the first of a new breed of cats.

Now these curly kitties can be found across the world and are loved for their loving personalities. These cats love to be around people and are known to be very affectionate and loving. If you are looking for a lap cat, this is the cat for you.

Their distinctive curly hair looks like it will be high maintenance, however the opposite is true. The less you do, the better their fur as too much grooming or brushing causes them to get frizzy. Hummm, I thought woman were the only ones that had that problem! To make their fur “show ready” they can be spritzed with water and then scrunched.

LaPerm’s like their people to be around. So, if you work a lot of hours, maybe this isn’t the best cat. You can get two cats so they can keep each other company, but LaPerm’s do best with a lot of human interaction.

I would love to hear from anyone who has a LaPerm.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Pet of the Week

Hi! My name is Wooster and I am looking for a family to love! Right now I live at the Humane Society in Downers Grove, IL and I would love to show you how sweet I am. I used to have a family, but they had to give me up. They gave me to some friends who lived on a farm. Well, I’m not much of a farm cat and was caught wandering around looking for a family and they brought me to the shelter. The people here are really nice and they take really good care of me, but I really want to find a family to call my very own.

I am very sweet and try to show everyone that comes in just how special I am. I’ll pour on all my manners, roll over so you can pet my belly, and even “talk” to you. If you come in to visit me, I’m sure I can make you fall in love with me. Please let me try. I really want to go home!

Hmmm, a little about me, I’m glad you asked! I am looking for a family that has older kids. I really like the older kids, you know about 12 and up. I find the smaller kids just a little confusing for me. I am 9 1/2 years old, but don’t underestimate me, it is all in how old you feel and I don’t feel a day over 4 years old! I love to play and be brushed. I will give you a lot of company so you never feel alone (I know how bad that feels). I won’t give you away no matter what anyone says! I am good with other cats and I even kind of like dogs. Okay, well I like dogs, just don’t tell the other cats. I am very playful and sweet. I will make a very good pet for you and I will treat you like the best human any cat has ever had!

Please stop by and see me. After you get to know me, I know you will love me and I will love you too!

See ya soon!


Wooster is a very sweet and playful cat in need of adoption. After meeting and spending some time with Wooster I thought it would be a great idea to feature Wooster in the new “Pet of the Week” segment. If a StartSampling member adopts Wooster, I will give you $50.00 in Restaurant Gift Certificates (check our FTM program for details and participating locations) and a StartSampling t-shirt. All you need to do to claim your prize is go to the West Suburban Humane Society at 1901 W. Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove, IL 60515, phone number 630-960-9600, and meet with one of their adoption specialist to adopt Wooster. Then click here to let me know you adopted Wooster and I will ship your prizes out to you. It couldn’t be easier and I would love to see Wooster go to a good home. I know we have a member out there that would be a perfect match for Wooster!

If you work for a Humane Society and would like to feature a dog or cat in the Pet of the Week section, please click here to contact me.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Support your local Humane Society

Between natural disasters and tough economic times our pet population is suffering and needs your help!

We all remember hurricane Katrina that left so many pets in need of help and adoption. Next came the flooding in the central United States, which again left many pets in need. Add to that difficult economic times, where families are forced to give their pets away because they can’t afford to feed them or they are forced to move into a place that does not allow pets and all of this adds up to the Humane Society’s over-population of pets that need adoption.

If you have room in your house and heart, please visit your local Humane Society to see if you can rescue a pet in need. You will find a wide variety of dogs and cats to choose from and the Humane Society is very good and trying to match the right pet with the right family. Puppies and kittens normally get adopted fairly quickly. But there are now older pets living at the Humane Society than ever before. These are older pets that, through no fault of their own, are now living in cages for the first time in their lives and wondering what they did wrong and why their family left them.

If you can’t adopt a pet, there are other ways to support your local Humane Society. You can donate your time as help is always needed and welcomed. You can donate money to help support your local center. You can also donate much needed supplies to help the Humane Society provide care for all the pets waiting for adoption. Below is a list of some of the supplies that are needed.

Paper towels
Food (call your local Humane Society to find out what kind of food)
KMR (kitten milk replacement)
Small baby bottles and nipples
Dog and cat toys (washable and indestructible)
Cat litter (not scoopable littler)
Stamps
Garbage bags (13 and 30 gallon sizes)
6” paper plates
Lint traps

Please go visit your local Humane Society and take a tour of the center. As you walk around the center I am sure you will find the perfect dog or cat to take home and love. There are so many loving pets available that the biggest problem will be deciding which one to take home!

Click here for more information on the Humane Society of the United States.

To help support the Humane Society and bring awareness of the over-population of the centers, please click here after reading this article to be entered into a sweepstakes to win a StartSampling t-shirt.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Why do cats knead?

If you have ever watched a cat knead (usually your stomach) you will notice the content, loving expression on their face. But why do cats do this? When a cat kneads, he is in touch with his kitten instincts as kittens knead their mother’s nipples to stimulate the “let down” reflex so that her milk will flow for the kitten to suckle on. This is why your cat will appear very relaxed and contented when he is kneading you. This process gives your cat a feeling of comfort and warmth, which is why they usually lay down and take a nap afterwards.

If kneading is uncomfortable for you, you may want to keep an extra towel around to give you a little extra padding when your cat feels the need to knead.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Gourd Bird Houses

As you look around stores and yards you will see more and more gourd bird houses. You can find them at almost any store that sells bird houses or you can make your own, which can be a great project to do with the kids to get them involved in birding.

Preparing the gourd

Soak the gourd for 30 minutes in hot, soapy water. Then scrub the gourd until it is completely clean using a scrub brush or a dull knife.

Next you need to mark where the entrance hole is going to be. To do this hold the gourd by the stem and let it hang naturally. Mark a center point along the most outermost part of the curve so the hole faces straight out, rather than tilled up to the sky or down to the ground. The entrance hole can be easily drilled using a hole saw or a keyhole saw.

Use the below guide for help with the gourd and hole size.

Wren – gourd size 6 inches, entrance hole size 1 inch
Chickadee – gourd size 8 inches, entrance hole size 1 1/8 inches
Tufted Titmouse – gourd size 8 inches, entrance hole size 1 1/4 inches
Downy Woodpecker – gourd size 8 inches, entrance hole size 1 1/4 inches
White Breasted Nuthatch – gourd size 8 inches, entrance hole size 1 1/4 inches
Bluebird – gourd size 8 inches, entrance hole size 1 1/2 inches
Hairy Woodpecker – gourd size 12 inches, entrance hole 1 5/8 inches
Crested Flycatcher – gourd size 8 inches, entrance hole 2 inches
Purple Martin – gourd size 10 inches, entrance hole size 2 1/2 inches
Flicker – gourd size 16 inches, entrance hole size 2 1/2 inches

Note: the gourd walls should be at least 1/4 inch thick so the bird house is not too warm.

Next drill two or three 1/4 inch holes in the bottom of the gourd for drainage. Then drill two set sets of holes about 2 inches from the neck for ventilation and hanging.

Then clean out the inside of the gourd by scraping out the seeds from the inside. You can also pour water inside the gourd to make sure all the dust and loose pieces have been removed.

Dip the entire gourd into a wood preservative for 15 minutes. Many people use deck sealants as the preservative. Remove the gourd from the sealant and hang it up to dry for a few days. The gourd must be completely dry before starting the next step.

Next sand the gourd to make it nice and smooth. Then paint the gourd with an oil-based paint (water based paint will peel) making sure not to cover up the drainage or ventilation holes. Decorate the gourd any way you want
.
When the gourd is completely dried, you are ready to hang it out for your birds.

The kids will love watching birds move into the house that they helped make and what a lovely addition to the yard!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Unwanted Birds and Pests

Many of us love feeding birds, but with feeding the birds comes unwanted pests and birds. While all birds are welcomed at my feeders, many people don’t like to feed the sparrows, morning doves, and black birds. In addition to that you find that you are now attracting squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, rabbits, mice and deer. So, what do you do if you had not intended on feeding the entire neighborhood? Here are a few tricks you can try.

Keep birdseed off the ground
Change the type of bird seed you use
Stop feeding certain foods for a while
Move your feeders to a new location
Stop feeding for a while

You can also try an enclosed feeder so the smaller birds can get through the cage, but not the larger ones. You may also want to try moving your feeders away from branches which will make it harder for the squirrels and raccoons to get to the food.

When all else fails, maybe it is time to sit back and just enjoy the variety of guest your feeders attract.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Free Sample of Dog or Cat Food

Get a coupon for a free 5 lb bag of dog food or 4 lb bag of cat food from Natural Choice. Natural Choice is made with all natural ingredients and contains no chicken by-products.

In today’s economy, what better way to help stretch your hard earned dollar.

Note: A valid e-mail address is required to complete and confirm your order.


Click here to get your FREE sample today!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Separation Anxiety

Typically, most dogs don’t mind spending time at home alone. However, there are many dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. Some of the behaviors caused by separation anxiety are:

Digging, chewing, and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to rejoin their owners.
Barking, howling or crying in an attempt to get their own to come back.
Urination and defecation as a result of distress.

We don’t fully understand what causes separation anxiety in some dogs and not others. But, it is important to remember if your dog exhibits some of these behaviors this is a result of a panic attach rather than an attempt to get even with you when you leave.

Behavior problems can come from numerous sources, how do you know if your dog suffers from separation anxiety? If you can say yes to all or most of the statements below, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety.

The behavior occurs primarily or exclusively when your dog is alone.
Your dog follows you from room to room whenever you are home.
Your dog displays over-enthusiastic or frantic greeting behaviors.
Your dog acts with depression, anxiety or excitement when you make preparations to leave.
Your dog dislikes spending time outdoors by himself.

What do you do if your dog has separation anxiety?

For minor separation anxiety problems, the below techniques may be helpful.

Keep your arrivals and departures low-key. For example, when you arrive home, ignore your dog for a few minutes and then calmly talk and pet your dog to greet him.
Leave your dog with an item that has your scent on it, maybe an old t-shirt or sock.
Establish a safety routine when you are only going to be gone a short period time, like doing yard work, or a quick run to the store. Try turning on the radio or TV or give him a favorite chew toy. Establish an association word with short leaves like saying you’ll be right back. Consistently using the safety routine and wording with short leaves, your dog will learn the routine and realize that you are coming right back.

Our dog, Brutus, suffers from separation anxiety and our family is working with him to help him over come his anxieties. We got Brutus from a German Shepherd rescue when he was about one year old. We found out that during his first year of live his family was taken away from him, which left him alone. The pound found him running around and caught him (from what we understand Brutus put up a good fight before he was caught). Then he went to the pound and then to the rescue center. So, we understand why Brutus has separation anxiety. We have had Brutus for about six months now and we can already see the improvement in his behavior. He still doesn’t like us to leave and does follow us around everywhere, but he is making progress!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Dog Parks

It seems that Dog Parks are cropping up everywhere these days! Do you and your furry companion go to dog parks? As with anything there are rules and regulations that need to be followed for everyone's safety. Below is a list of some rules for you and your pet, remember this is to keep everyone safe.

Your dog should be reasonably confident and social. Dogs that are fearful, aggressive, or reactive are not appropriate for dog parks.

Basic good manners are a park pre-requisite. Your dog should not jump on, mark (leg-lift) people in the park, or jump into anyone’s lap without invitation. Your dog should be responsive to some basic cues or commands so you can get control of your dog if necessary.

Barking should be kept to a reasonable level. Occasional barks of joy are acceptable as it shows they are having a good time. Non-stop barking and seriously aggressive barking is not acceptable.

Only healthy dogs should play at dog parks. Obviously, communicable diseases and parasites are unacceptable as these can affect and infect other dogs. They are a high risk factor for causing aggression when a dog is hurt or stressed by the anticipation of being hurt. Puppies under the age of four months should be left at home. Puppies are not fully immunized yet, so are at higher risk for contracting diseases, and vulnerable to being traumatized by another dog's inappropriate behavior

If you are a new park user, visit the park without your dog to observe park culture and practices. Take your dog to the park the first time at non-peak use hours to allow both of you to acquaint yourselves with the environment without the stress and distraction of others around. Obey all posted park rules, even if you disagree with them and find them unfounded.

Do not bring small children to the dog park. Sometimes dogs that are running fast in a chasing game will accidentally run into an adult but you would not want this to happen to a child.
Try to limit your use of toys or food treats to avoid dog on dog conflict. This may vary depending on the amount of dogs at the park during any given visit.

Be extremely realistic about your dog's potential as a park playmate. The dog park is not the appropriate place to work on fixing your dog's behavior problems.

Survey the park for several minutes before you take your dog in to be sure there are no dogs present who are inappropriate play partners for your dog. Supervise your dog's play at all times. This is not the time to read War and Peace. Be prepared to interrupt inappropriate play whether your dog is the victim or the perpetrator.

Not all dogs enjoy playing with other dogs or humans. Be willing to leave if your dog is not having a good time.

Respect and honor posted dog-park hours. These hours are set for a reason and help maintain peace and harmony with nearby neighbors.

Always clean up after your dog both inside and outside the park.

As with any experience, whether it is new or old, we always learn new things. Hopefully this information gave you a little something more to think about. There are a myriad of resources out there if you crave more information. Good luck and happy dog parking! We would love to hear your thoughts or comments on this article.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Kitty Acne

I wondered what my long haired calico, Gizzie, got into when she was walking around with a dirty chin. Gizzie was a very clean cat, so it was unusual to see her dirty. Besides, she was an indoor cat, so what kind of trouble could she have gotten into to get this dirty?

Well, the dirt didn’t go away, even after taking a warm wash cloth and wiping her chin. So, I took a closer look and believe it or not, my little Gizzie had kitty acne! Who would have thought!

Yes, cats get acne and they don’t like it any better than humans do. The vet said that Gizzie just needed a little extra help cleaning her chin and the acne should go away. After cleaning her chin off with a warm, wet wash cloth the acne went away in a matter of a few days.

Gizzie decided she knew a better way to keep her chin clean. Being the princess of the house, she would go up to her big brother, Tazz, and roll over right in front of him. Tazz then took on the responsibility of keeping Gizzie’s chin clean and she never had another outbreak of acne.

Some cases of acne are harder to clear up and your vet can prescribe the proper medication for the afflicted area.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Cat Grass

Here is a nutritious treat for your cat. The Kitty Can Chew is an easy to grow, edible plant that your cat will love.

Grass helps with the digestive system, which is why many cats chew on indoor and outdoor plants, many of which are not good for your cat. The Kitty Can Chew provides you (and your cat) with a cat friendly plant that your cat will enjoy munching on. Simply mix the packets together, soak it, and cover it. Continue watering your cat grass and when it reaches 2 inches tall it is ready for your cat to munch on.

Kitty Can Chew comes in a wide variety of growing containers that you and your family can have fun with.

Click here to get more information about the Kitty Can Chew.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Cat Genie - Never touch or smell cat litter again

We all know that cat’s like clean litter boxes, but I don’t know anyone who likes doing the litter patrol! There is a new product out that automatically cleans the litter box and disposes of all waste without you ever lifting a finger (or a scoop)!

The Cat Genie does all of the work for you and keeps the litter box clean, just the way your cat (and you) wants it. The Cat Genie is the only automatic cat box that flushes away waste and washes itself. The washable granules are cat-comfy, permanent and never need changing. Liquids are drain and solids get scooped out and liquefied. Then the waste is flushed down the drain or toilet. The Cat Genie thoroughly washes, scrubs, sanitizes and dries the granules and bowl, which eliminates the cat litter odor in your home. You can either pre-set the system to automatically clean at a pre-determined time or you can manually push the start button to start the cleaning process, which leaves you in complete control on when the litter box is cleaned.

The system is easy to set up yourself with a T-connector (included) to the cold water supply in the laundry room or bath room. The Cat Genie is perfect for a home with one to three cats.

Click here to read reviews on the Cat Genie.
Click here for more information on the Cat Genie.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Save $2.00 on Kibble N Bits Wholesome Medley

With the cost of groceries going up every day it is a great time to take advantage of coupons to help lower your grocery bill.

Kibbles N Bits Wholesome Medley is a newer product on the market for your dog to enjoy. “Wholesome Medley is made with wholesome quality ingredients that taste great and provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition.” Wholesome Medley is made with the essential ingredients that you know are good for your dog, like poultry meal, brown rice, apples, peas and carrots. It also provides your dog with the vitamins and minerals he needs to keep him healthy. Plus, no wheat gluten, artificial flavors or preservatives are used in Wholesome Medley.

Click here to get your coupon today and start saving!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Bird’s eye view

Your family can enjoy a bird’s eye view into a bird’s life by attaching a “Nest View” birdhouse to your window. From this view you can watch the birds nest, eggs hatch, and watch the first flight of baby birds. How much fun for you and your family! The birdhouse mounts directly to a window in your home. The bird house is 4” x 8” which is perfect for Nuthatches, Chickadees, Wrens and Sparrows.

The biggest concern I have for this type of birdhouse is that the suction cups will not hold the birdhouse securely to the window. I have used a see-through suction bird feeder that attached to the window and it fell down several times, which is the last thing you want to happen to a bird’s nest.

Please share your thoughts or experiences with this type of birdhouse.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Dogs and fireworks

The 4th of July can be a challenge for dog owners. Many dogs are terrified of fireworks and spend the entire evening trying to hind and get away from the noise. There are a few things you can do to make the 4th of July less traumatic for your dog.

Bring your dog inside for the night before the fireworks start. If possible, shut the windows and drapes to help reduce the noise level.

Stay with your dog. Your presence will help to calm your dog down.

Make sure your dog has a special area there he can feel safe, whether it is in the kennel or under a bed.

Turn on the TV or put the music on to help distract the dog by adding normal household noises.

Last, but not least, be certain to make sure your dog has some sort of identification. Many times the dog will try to run away from the noise, leaving you with a lost dog. Even if your dog has never shown fear of noises before, it is a good rule of thumb to make sure every pet has their identification on for the 4th of July.